Machine for forming flanges upon soft pipes



(Mode L) M. CHASE.-

MAGHINB FOR FORMING PLANGES UPON SOFT PIPES.

Patented July 21, 1885;

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILTON CHASE, OF HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR FORMING FLANGES UPON SOFT PIPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 322,790, dated July 21, 1885.

Application filed June 23, 1884. (Model) 7 as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit apperlains to make anduse it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in machines for forming flanges upon soft metal pipes; and it consists in the combination of two jaws, which are loosely connected together and provided with a suitable clamping device, suitable forms which are attached to the inner sides of the jaws, a rod which is forced into the end of the soft pipe, a suitable die which is forced down upon the end of the pipe, and a means for operating the die, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my-invention is to provide a machine for the use of plumbers, whereby they are enabled to form a flange upon the end of a lead or other soft-metal pipe, for the purpose of securing a coupling thereto, and thus enable them to connect the lead pipe with another pipe at but very little expense and trouble.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the twojaws having the forms secured between them. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of an apparatus embodying my invention complete. Fig. 3 shows a modification of the plug and die.

A represents two jaws, which are hinged together at one end, and which are provided with the handles B at the other. These jaws when brought together around the pipe are clamped together by means of the set-screw O and the thumb-nut D. The inner side of each one of these jaws is recessed so as to receive the forms F, of different sizes, according to the size of the pipe which is to be operated upon. Each form is composed of two pieces, which have their edges just flush with the inner edges of the jaws, and each part of the form is securely secured to its respective jaw by means of the screw or other similar device,

G. The outer sides of all of these forms will form and the jaws clamped rigidly together,

the rod or plug I is forced into the end of the pipe, so as to prevent the end from collapsing or closing in any way when the flange is being formed. The thickness of the flange which is to be formed is determined by the distance the end of the pipe shall extend above the shoulder. After the plug has been forced into the end of the pipe so as to prevent it from collapsing, a die, L, is passed down over the plug and into the upper portion of the form, so as to rest, upon the top end of the soft-metal pipe. This die will then project a suitable distance above the top of the forms, until forced downward by some suitable means upon the end of the pipe, for the purpose of breaking down the end of the pipe and spreading it outward so as to form a flange, O. This die may be forced down upon the end of the pipe so as to form a flange by different means.

As here shown, the screw-threaded perforated cap is slipped down over the top of the plug and upon the top of the die, and this plug is then screwed or forced down over the top of the form by means of a suitable implement. As here shown, the upper end of the form is provided with a male and the cap is provided with a female screw, so that by turning the cap it will gradually force the die downward for the purpose of spreading the end of the pipe so as to form a flange. After the die has been forced down upon the end of the pipe so as 'to form a flange, the cap and the die are removed, the plug withdrawn, the jaws released from the clamping-bolt, and then opened. As a portion of the coupling was forced over the end of the pipe before its end was flanged, a portion of the coupling is in position ready to be attached to the other portion of the coupling upon the other pipe.

By means of an apparatus as here described the plumber or other person can apply a coupling more readily and quickly to a soft-metal pipe than can possibly be done to an iron pipe, and without the help of any skilled labor.

As here shown, the die is provided with a grooved surface for the purpose of forming a grooved flange upon the pipe; but, if so preferred, a plain die may be used instead of a grooved one. NVhen .the flange is made grooved upon its outer side and it is brought against a corresponding grooved flange, the two ends lock together and form a more perfect joint than where the surfaces of the two flanges are made perfectly plain.

I do not limit myself to any precise method or plan of forcing the die down upon the end of the pipe. If desired, the die may be formed as a part of the plug itself, and then the plug be forced down by means of a hammer or other implement. Whether this die is forced down by blows or a screw-cap is a mere matter of choice.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination of the jaws provided with a means for clamping them together, the forms which are held between the jaws, a plug which is forced into the end of the softmetal pipe to prevent it from collapsing, and a die for breaking down the end of the pipe and forming a flange, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the jaws provided with a means for clamping them together, the form which is held between them, and provided with a shoulder or enlargement, a die which is to be forced ,into the form upon the top of the pipe, and a cap for forcing the die downward, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in 0 presence of two witnesses.

MILTON CHASE.

\Vitnesses:

OHAs. H. GoFFIN, W. CALDWELL. 

